LIAM Williams has left the door open on a return to the Test scene for Wales’ summer tour of Australia but faces stiff competition from Warren Gatland’s new boys.
A British and Irish Lion in 2017 and 2021, Williams has won 89 caps for Wales and scored an impressive 20 tries but is ineligible for the Six Nations due to his commitment to recently joined Japan Rugby League One side Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay from Cardiff.
In the renowned bomb defuser’s absence, head coach Gatland named a largely inexperienced squad with Dafydd Jenkins (21) chosen as captain, while full-back Cameron Winnett made his inter national debut at 21.
Cardiff ’s Winnett shone on debut despite defeat last weekend, with his clear potential possibly signalling that Williams and Leigh Halfpenny’s lengthy stranglehold of the 15 jersey was over but the 32-year-old, former Saracens versatile back is eager to get back involved in Test rugby at the end of the season.
Williams, who previously played for Scarlets, told The Rugby Paper from Tokyo: “I’m available for the summer tour for Australia and then the autumn inter nationals before my second year in Japan. I’ve put my hand up for those, so we’ll wait and see.
“It would be a dream to come back and play for Wales and possibly the British and Irish Lions in 2025 but there’s two other players in my position (Freddie Steward and Hugo Keenan) that are playing really well for their club and country. I’m just concentrating on my rugby over here in Japan first and I’ll hopefully play for Wales again.
“I thought new captain Dafydd (Jenkins) had a really good game last weekend, Ioan Lloyd came on and went pretty well. Rio Dyer is quick, athletic and is at 100mph on the training pitch. So, he’s definitely one to watch. Cam (Winnett) is good, quite a quiet little kid who keeps himself to himself but it was great to see him play well under neath the high ball. They’ve got a good mix of old heads with quite a few younger boys, who are getting their first caps.”
Other options for the 15 jersey
